If there is an important segment for SsangYong, it is the tie-up. It may be the best known of the other products in Spain, but globally without a doubt its star segment, which accounts for 40% of total sales. A good part of them in Korea, a very protective magazine and that Kia or Hyundai do not work and where the SsangYong Musso Sports sweeps.
All from Korea, the new owner of SsangYong, the KG conglomerate, failed after the accidents with SAiC (China) and Mahindra (India). The brand promises a new product development and the first model is this Musso Sports 2013.
The market for these vehicles was quite large until the financial crisis of 2008. It slowly returned to Covid (helped by the end of the 100 km/h speed limitation) and is now stagnant due to lack of availability.
This is not a SsangYong problem. The new Musso is now available. Therefore, the targets of the goods are very ambitious. Nothing less than 1000 units this year. They had already concluded agreements with organizations such as the army. Now is the time to look at what a professional or individual can do to help.
The range is reported to be 26,500 coins. A misleading rate because it does not include taxes and includes a brand discount (with car financing). If you are interested, you know, look for the SsangYong Musso Sports offers in our new cars section, published and updated by the brand’s official dealers.
Outside
In other markets, there are two Musson sports bodies, but in Spain it is sold only with a cabin body. It is very large, with a length of 5,406 mm, with no less than 3,210 mm in length, something that results in good interior space and excellent load capacity.
And of course, in order to tie well, it must look sturdy. We see it in its forms, starting from the front, with a huge grill, which ends in a limited finish in black. He led the headlights (HID in the more equipped versions like the one we drove), in a high position, fog light slightly lower, arranged vertically and led technology in our unit. In the lower area, the red crankcase cover stands out, very visible.
In the side view, the wheel arches are outlined in black trim. Under them, black 18-inch wheels in a perfect finish, with 255/60 tires. The simplest versions accommodate 17-inches and do not have a silver roof bar or chrome window surrounds.
Now on the back we can see the cover of the box, marked in black and with the name of the model clearly visible. The brand offers no less than seven body colors: Grand White, Space Black, Marble Grey, Amazon Green, Indian Red, Atlantic Blue and Galaxy Grey.
Interior
We couldn’t stop thinking about the SsangYong Rexton when we were in the cockpit of the Mission Sports. And that is good, especially when we see the environment of many rivals, at least in this highly decorated version, where we find everything from leather upholstery to other mounted surfaces. The plastics are hard, but still solid, as befits a vehicle of this type.
Behind the wheel we find a classic instrument panel, with clocks surrounded by a 3.5-inch screen for the on-board computer, which you control from the steering wheel itself. It is not the only screen, because in the summation that we have been, they reach 8 inches. Face it, they are not overpowering or resolved or graphic, but they are correct. They do not include navigation, for this you need to connect a mobile phone, because they have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
This screen did not leave the physical keys (good touch), either because of the direct access to the functions on the screen… or because of the air conditioning, which undoubtedly improved the ergonomics. There are plenty of storage spaces and good storage space.
The driving position is high and the seats in these versions are quite comfortable and of good size. At times they don’t hold the body, but that’s something that’s not asked for in this type of vehicle.
Space in the rear seats is also good, even for tall people. Three will be somewhat inconvenient, but the width is better than the direct rivals and also this is not a vehicle in which long frequent trips are to be made. We have Isofix anchors on the sides and although the bench is fixed, the backs can recline up to 27 degrees. There is no shortage of air vents at the end of the center seat, armrests with two drink holders on it and a box under the seats for carrying things, you can include them really wide.
Crime
The highlight of the SsangYong Musso Sports is its cargo capacity. It offers 1,262 liters of capacity, above rivals in the segment. Very usable space, 1,610 mm high, 1,570 mm wide and 570 mm high.
As for the load capacity, it is 1,085 kg in the Pro version with manual gears, 1,075 kg in the automatic Pro and Premium versions. In the Limit we drove, with a multi-link suspension designed for more ease, it is reduced from 870 kg.
The brand offers several accessories for the box. In fact, our unit had a box, but it is possible to choose covers, or to include different bars or extra charge absorbers to close it, as well as a rotation hook or a 12 V socket.
Motor
SsangYong Musso Sports thanks to the e-XDI 220 diesel engine, the same one that climbed the Rexton we tested. It is a 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine with direct injection, turbo, variable geometry and intercooler. It delivers 202 CV of power at 3,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 400 Nm with manual transmission and 441Nm with automatic transmission, between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm.
Built on a frame of scattered and cross members, SsangYong Musso Sports features low reductions, inevitable wheel drive (with 2.48:1 reduction) to move seamlessly around the field. Even the rear differential is self-locking: if one wheel slips or is left in the air, it simultaneously forces both to turn to recover traction. It also offers a Hill Descent Control (HDC) system and a Hill Start Assist (HSA) system, which also helps.
Combined with the automatic transmission and the highest level of equipment, it approves a consumption of 8.9 l/100 km. It does not have exceptional performance, but it recovers very well when it reaches 80 to 120 km/h
Behavior
While the front suspension is independent, with double wishbones and coil springs, there are two rear options. If you choose the Pro version, intended for work or goods, you have balistas as an elastic element. We had a limited version, a multi-link type with coil springs, more intended as a leisure or recreational vehicle.
Sharing many elements with the Rexton, its ride is very bike-like. Mainly because of its size and handling. Parking sensors will help in those conflicts. It also came in the quality of rolling and the sound of the search camera, in that sense, in the range of its main rivals.
The suspension holds the body quite well on the curved roads… Also, taking into account that we are talking about the pick-up and ports going up at a good level is not his thing. This was of course the first part of the test, they were doing a “hostile” environment for the vehicle. Destination: a real offroad route, in fields, with no artificial obstacles designed to allow the car to pass through them cleanly.
Once you are there connect all the drive wheels. In the electric you go from 2H (sends power to the rear axle) to 4H (torques to all four wheels) and to 4L (with reduction). The heights are not exceptional compared to some rivals, but they are enough to move over broken roads and obstacles without difficulty. With a clearance of 220 mm, it has an angle of attack of 19.5º, a ventral angle of 20º and a departure angle of 20.5º.
The SsangYong Musso Sports are under pressure despite the complexity of the environment. The place was very slippery, but when he returned he was able to walk without difficulty. In those moments when one wheel touches the ground, you clearly realize how different its job is. It’s a bit of work while moving and you get the traction again. The greatest difficulty was undoubtedly the large dimensions of the car, which necessitated handling the trees and stones in the narrowest of places.
Opinion cars.com
Those responsible for SsangYong said in the presentation that Musso Sports is a product that fits the brand. Of course, it reinforces the image of the firm that has always stood out for its SUVs … and it happens at a time when production problems continue for other manufacturers.
With the Mitsubishi L200 from the market and the new Volkswagen Amarok not yet arrived, only the Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max or Ford Ranger had come with an interesting rival. stands out for its power, load capacity and equipment, for the price and content it offers.
They also play with the key factor of close delivery, vital in many cases when it comes to vehicles that are often used for work.
SsangYong Musso Sports D22 Limited 4×4 Aut
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